The Girls’ Middle School Hiring for Assistant Head of School Job at Palo Alto, CA Full Time

The Girls’ Middle School – Assistant Head of School

Imagine a school where each day is alive with learning, creativity, and a spirit of adventure. Since its founding in 1998, The Girls’ Middle School (GMS) has been committed to progressive education and innovative programming, meeting the needs of a wide range of middle school students who make up our vibrant, inclusive community. Our project-based curriculum encourages creative problem solving, collaborative teamwork, and independent thought. GMS educates girls during a pivotal time in their lives. Students develop self-knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills supported by a staff highly attuned to fostering their emotional and social growth. GMS encourages students to find their voices, take risks, and become self-reliant.

GMS is a joyful, inclusive, and respectful community of students and adults. All of our staff are strongly aligned with our mission and core values of supporting a diverse and equitable school environment where our students can discover their strengths and find their voice. The program encourages inquiry, welcomes diverse opinions, honors risk taking, and lets the middle school years serve as a springboard for a rich love of learning. Learn more about GMS: www.girlsms.org.

GMS celebrates different perspectives coming together in community. We are committed to broadening the diversity, in all dimensions, of our faculty and staff. We know that diversity enriches us by bringing to GMS new experiences, views, and knowledge about the world.

Position Purpose

As a key member of the Executive Management Team, the Assistant Head of School works collaboratively with the Head of School and all GMS stakeholders to support all constituencies in the school community. They serve as one of the leading authorities on the School’s progressive, inclusive, educational pedagogies and ensure that the School is fulfilling our mission, philosophy and diversity objectives.

Essential Functions

The AHoS focuses on the leadership of the day-to-day operations of the school, the curricular program, and faculty. The major responsibilities of the AHoS are:

• Partner with members of the Executive Management Team to lead strategic decision-making, financing and operational planning for GMS
• Accountable for the Academic Program, Curriculum, and Educational Leadership of the school
• Partner closely with the Director of Student Services and Teaching and Learning Facilitator on day-to-day activities, creating and refining processes and policies to provide enriched experiential programs of teaching and learning
• Oversee implementation of special auxiliary programs such as Intersession, Entrepreneurial, travel events
• Responsible for recruitment, hiring, supervision, retention and mentorship of all faculty
• Promote and maintain faculty and staff engagement and goal setting
• Head the individual, grade level and subject level evaluations, assessments and accreditation processes
• Create and provide ongoing management for the Teaching Schedule, Daily Schedule, and Academic Calendar
• Compose and ensure delivery of continuous Parent communications: Program Updates, Back-to-School Night, Admissions Open House, weekly schedules; work with the Communications Director to distribute communications in english and spanish formats
• Advocate and act as a spokesperson for the GMS mission, program, and faculty

Qualifications and Qualities Sought

• Inspiring, articulate, creative, patient leader who leads by example
• Commitment to experiential, project-based learning, narrative assessment, and other progressive pedagogies
• Experience in an independent school management role preferred
• Focus on bolstering girls to discover their strengths and find their voices
• Creative problem solver and visionary thinker
• Strong communications skills (both written and verbal); ability to communicate well with varied audiences
• Collaborative, inclusive leadership style
• Commitment to diverse, equitable, and inclusive school practices

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
GMS has taken significant measures to protect our community from COVID-19, including vaccination requirements; weekly testing of all on-campus persons; masking requirements; enhanced cleaning protocols.

Work Location: One location